The Civil War: 1861-1865

1. The Civil War: 1861-1865 A Call for Freedom

2. Emancipation • From the start… • North’s main goal was to preserve Union not destroy slavery • Lincoln considered slavery immoral, but… • Didn’t move against slavery • Can’t upset border states • His personal wish “all men everywhere could be free.” • BUT… • “ If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.” • Some in North believed slavery was helping the Rebs • Slaves raised crops and did heavy work in camps… • Put $$$ in their pockets & food in their bellies • To Yanks, anything that hurt slavery, hurt the Confederacy

3. The Emancipation Proclamation • Lincoln knew what people thought, and wanted • Knew that going against slavery would make Brits & French not want to support South • Became convinced slavery was helping South • Summer 1862- he had decided to emancipate, or free slaves • Bides his time for rt. moment… after a big win! • 22 Sept. 1862- • 5 days after Union win @ Antietam Lincoln announces plan • 1 January 1863- • Lincoln signs document freeing all slaves w/in Confederacy

4. Effects of the Proclamation • B/C it freed slaves of Confederacy… • Actually freed no one! • South didn’t care • Lincoln knew slaves would hear about it • Hoped it would encourage slaves to rise up or runaway • Even b4 it 100,000 left for Union lines • Despite limitations, N. Blacks cheered it on • Frederick Douglas called it, “…the greatest event of our nation’s history.” • Had desired effect in Europe too! • Britain & France would never ally themselves w/ a nation allowing slavery • Confederacy out of luck • 1864- Congress, not to be outdone, issues 13th Amendment • Outlaws slavery in US • Ratified in 1865 • This truly freed slaves • All had to do was get South back in the Union to force them to follow it!

5. African Americans in South During War • Early on, Lincoln against AA in Union Army • ‘Emancipation’ would now allow it • When war began, 3.5 million slaves in south • 30% of its’ total population • Most of it’s workforce • Worked on plantations • Iron, and slat mines • Worked as nurses too • By 1865- 1/6th had fled though • Possibility of revolt scared doo-doo out of South • Why wouldn’t allow slaves to fight- afraid to give them guns • Near end, Confederacy desperate • RE Lee convinces Davis to allow it • Too late though • War ended b4 could get regiments up and trained 3.5 Million Slaves in Confederacy * 30% of Confederacy’s Population * By 1865, 1/6th Flee to Union

6. African Americans Helping the North • Different in North, but not much at first • Freed men not allowed to serve in Union Army • Disappointed many • Found other ways though • Union Navy allowed them though! • Served as guides and spys in South • Harriet Tubman was one of them! • Helped 100’s escape on Underground Railroad • Now use knowledge of trails and paths to help army and spy on Rebs too! • 1862- Congress passes law to allow them to fight in army ! • Freed & runaways began signing up by the 1,000’s • By the end of the war, African Americans made up nearly 10% of the Union Army • 200,000+ served and 37,000 had been killed • By fighting though, taking important step in helping themselves

7. African American Soldiers • Organized into regiments • Separate from white regiments • White commanders • Less pay than whites at first, but… • protests led to equal pay by 1864! • Most famous, 54th Massachusetts • Lead charge on Charleston, SC • Were eventually beaten and lost over 50% of men, but… • Bravery lead to respect for black regiments • Lincoln’s opponents criticized idea • South issued decries • All AA’s fighting would be taken into servitude • If AA’s caught wearing uniforms they would be hung • Any white officer leading them would be hung 8:50-12:28